DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 407 



in various directions in a condition of actual frenzy. In some of these 

 erratic movements the horse may injure himself, or the attendant if he 

 happens to come in his way, but it is evident that there is no intention to 

 do mischief 



The treatment of the disease, to be successful, must be adopted as soon 

 as the first indications are apparent. The animal should be removed to 

 a loose-box and freed from all restraint; food should be kept out of his 

 reach, but he may be allowed to drink any quantity of water. In former 

 times the treatment on which the greatest reliance was placed was the 

 immediate employment of the lancet and the withdrawal of a large quantity 

 of blood. This system, however, has been discontinued for many years 

 past, and instead it is usual to rely on the administration of a strong 

 aperient, together with antiseptic agents, as hyposulphite of soda. Four 

 to six ounces of solution of aloes, or more, according to the size of tlie 

 horse, forms a useful purgative; and if the drowsy condition is extremely 

 marked, aromatic spirit of ammonia in doses of from one to two ounces 

 every two or three hours, while the condition remains, is likely to be 

 effective. Benefit will also be derived from sponging or douching the head 

 with cold water at short intervals, or by the application of ice-bags to 

 the poll. 



VERTIGO 



Vertigo, megrims, or giddiness may be associated with organic disease 

 of the brain, or be occasioned by derangement of the liver or other organs 

 of the digestive system. A fit of vertigo may also arise from the action of 

 the sun's rays upon the unprotected head, or it may be due to the retention 

 of blood in the vessels of the brain consequent upon pressure of a tight 

 collar. A single attack, which may occur at any time during a journey, is 

 sometimes difiicult of explanation; when a hot sun and a tight collar are 

 both present they will naturally be looked upon as the cause of the fit, but 

 in the absence of either it will be impossible for anyone to decide whether 

 it was due to some chronic disorder in the brain or to derangement of the 

 digestive organs. In these cases a direct diagnosis is only possible when 

 the history of the animal is known. It may, however, be suggested that a 

 sudden and violent attack, under the influence of which the horse suddenly 

 stops, raises and shakes his head, and then drops down in a state of partial 

 unconsciousness, is most likely to be consequent on some cause which is 

 acting at the moment, such as heat, pressure on the vessels of the neck, or 

 some acute disturbance of the liver. 



Vertigo which arises from organic disease of the nervous centres, is in 

 most cases a disorder of gradual development. The first attack is extremely 



